Apparatus and method for closing hospital bed gaps

ABSTRACT

A patient support including a frame, a mattress supported by the frame, and a set of siderails configured to block egress of a patient from the patient support. The siderails are configured to reduce gaps defined between the siderails and the other components of the patient support.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.11/734,456, filed Apr. 12, 2007 , now U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,034, which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/095,967, filed Mar. 31,2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,377 which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/225,780, filed Aug. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.7,028,352 which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No.60/397,342 filed Jul. 19, 2002, and U.S. provisional application Ser.No. 60/314,276 filed Aug. 22, 2001, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to patient supports, such as hospitalbeds. More specifically, the present invention relates to the apparatusand methods for closing gaps that may exist between components on apatient support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to theaccompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the intermediate and upper portions of apatient support showing the patient support including deck, a mattresspositioned on the deck, a footboard, a head board, a pair of head endsiderails, and a pair of foot end siderails;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the bed of FIG. 1 showing foot endand head end siderails cooperating to define a curved gap therebetween;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a head section of the decktilted;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the patient support, with the head endsiderails removed for clarity; showing a head board adaptor aligned withan existing pair of posts on the deck and the head board aligned with apair of posts on the adaptor;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the patient support of FIG.1 showing the foot end siderails coupled to a sub-frame;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the foot end siderail prior to aconversion process;

FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of the head end siderails after theconversion process showing the siderails including a rail member, a pairof rail links rotatably coupling the rail member to the head section ofthe deck to permit movement of the rail member between raised andlowered positions, and a bail pivotably coupled to a lower edge of therail member;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the siderail in anintermediate position with a flange coupled to one of the rail linkscontacting the bail to rotate the bail upwardly during movement of therail member to the lowered position;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the deck removed showing thesiderail in the lowered position with the flange urging the bail to araised position;

FIG. 10 is a partial exploded view of the foot end siderail after theconversion process;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment patientsupport showing the patient support including flaps attached to thesiderails;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 11 showingthe siderails in a lowered position;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the patient support of FIG. 11taken along the line 13-13 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the flap in a raisedposition;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the patient support of FIG. 11taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the flap of FIG. 11 showing the side ofthe flap that faces the siderail;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment siderailshowing a drop down bar;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 17 in a loweredposition;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 17 shownperpendicular to the view of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment patientsupport showing the patient support including mattress retainers;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the patient support showing a siderailin a lowered position;

FIG. 24 is a side elevation view of the siderail showing the mattressretainers;

FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of the siderail of FIG. 23 showing thesiderail in the lowered position;

FIG. 26 is a partial diagrammatic view of a patient support showing thepatient support including a bedframe, a mattress positioned on thebedframe, and a pair of siderails, each of the side rails including anotched upper edge;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment patientsupport showing the patient support including a base frame, a deck, amattress positioned on the deck, a footboard, a head board, a pair ofhead end siderails, and a pair of foot end siderails;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the head end of the patient support ofFIG. 27 showing the head end siderail and the headboard cooperating todefine a gap therebetween of equal to or greater than 300 millimeters;

FIG. 29 is a view similar to FIG. 28 showing the headboard removed fromthe bedframe and aligned with a pair of posts on the bedframe;

FIG. 30 is a side elevation view of rail members of the head and footend siderails showing the head end rail member in first and secondpositions;

FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30 showing a pair of alternativeembodiment rail members;

FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 30 showing another pair of alternativeembodiment rail members;

FIG. 33 is side elevation view of a patient support showing the patientsupport including a mattress supported by a bedframe, a headboardcoupled to the bedframe, a footboard coupled to the bedframe, and a pairof siderails coupled to the bedframe;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a siderail showing the siderailincluding a perimeter rail and a plurality of cross members cooperatingwith the perimeter rail to define a plurality of openings through thesiderail, and a plurality of bumpers coupled to the perimeter rail andcross members to limit the width of the openings;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a side rail similar to FIG. 34 showingalternative embodiment bumpers coupled to the cross members to limit thewidth of the openings and panels positioned in the openings to blockportions of the openings;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment patientsupport showing a patient support including siderail inserts;

FIG. 37 is a side elevation view of a rail member of the siderail ofFIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a perspective cut away view of the rail member and siderailinsert of FIG. 36;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment patientsupport showing a patient support including siderails;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 39 in anarticulated position;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails of FIG.39;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails of FIG.39;

FIG. 43 is perspective view of another alternative embodiment patientsupport showing a patient support including siderails;

FIG. 44 is a side elevation view of a rail member of the siderails ofFIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails of FIG.43 showing detached bumpers;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment patientsupport showing a patient support including siderails;

FIG. 47 is a side elevation view of a rail member of the siderails ofFIG. 46;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails of FIG.46 showing detached bumpers;

FIG. 49 is a side elevation view of a siderail showing a plastic coverpositioned over the siderail to block the openings in the siderail;

FIG. 50 is a side elevation view of the plastic cover of FIG. 49 beforebeing placed over the siderail;

FIG. 51 is a side elevation view of a siderail showing a sheet ofplastic material covering the siderail to block the openings in thesiderail;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a roll of the plastic material;

FIG. 53 is perspective of an alternative embodiment patient supportshowing one of the siderails in a lowered position and a patient-assistarm coupled to an inclined head section of the bedframe;

FIG. 54 is a side elevation view of another patient support showing thepatient support including a first siderail coupled to a bedframe and asecond siderail/headrail combination coupled to the bedframe;

FIG. 55 is a view similar to FIG. 54 showing the secondsiderail/headrail combination positioned in a lowered position to permitegress of patient from the patient support;

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of a siderail and an inclined panelcoupled to the siderail and extending between the siderail and amattress;

FIG. 57 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 57-57 of FIG.56;

FIG. 58 is a view similar to FIG. 57 showing the siderail in a loweredposition;

FIG. 59 is an assembly view of a mattress and deck showing the mattressincluding four rectangular magnets coupled to an underside thereof andthe deck including four pockets sized to receive the magnets;

FIG. 60 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mattress and deck ofFIG. 59;

FIG. 61 is a view similar to FIG. 60 of an alternative embodimentmattress and deck;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment patientsupport showing the patient support including flaps between thesiderails and the mattress;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 62 showinga head end siderail and foot end siderail in a lowered position;

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 62 showinga head end flap and a foot end flap, both in a lowered position;

FIG. 65 is a cross sectional view taken along line 65-65 of FIG. 63;

FIG. 66 is a cross sectional view taken along line 66-66 of FIG. 64;

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a side of a head end flap of FIG. 62that faces the siderail;

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of a side of the head end flap of FIG. 67that faces the mattress;

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of a side of a foot end flap of FIG. 62that faces the mattress;

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a side of the foot end flap of FIG. 69that faces the siderail;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment patientsupport showing the patient support including siderails;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of a rail member of the siderails of thepatient support shown in FIG. 71;

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment patientsupport showing a patient support including siderails;

FIG. 74 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 73 showingthe siderails in a lowered position;

FIG. 75 is a perspective cut away view of a latch of the siderail ofFIG. 73;

FIG. 76 is a perspective cut away view of the latch of the siderail ofFIG. 74 in the lowered position;

FIG. 77 is an exploded view of the latch of FIG. 75;

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 73 showinga patient support including siderails having supplemental rail members;

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of the supplemental rail member of FIG.78;

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of a siderail and bolster positionedadjacent to the siderail on a mattress;

FIG. 81 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 81-81 of FIG. 80showing the bolster coupled to the mattress;

FIG. 82 is a view similar to FIG. 81 showing the siderail in a loweredposition;

FIG. 83 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment patientsupport showing a patient support including siderails;

FIG. 84 is a perspective view of the patient support of FIG. 83 showingthe siderails in a lowered position;

FIG. 85 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 83 showing thesiderail in a latched raised position;

FIG. 86 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 85 showing thesiderail in an unlatched position;

FIG. 87 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 85 in the loweredposition;

FIG. 88 is a perspective view of the siderail of FIG. 85 in an egressposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A patient support 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-9. Patient support 10 includesa frame 12, a deck 14, a mattress 16 supported by deck 14, head end andfoot end siderails 18, 20, a headboard 22, and mattress retainers 24.Mattress retainers 24 are coupled to deck 14 to control the gap betweenmattress 16 and siderails 18, 20 by securing the position of mattress 16and maintaining the gap at a constant size. Head end siderails 18 arecoupled to a head section 26 of deck 14 and foot end siderail 20 arecoupled to a sub-frame 28 supported by frame 12.

Patient support 10 may be produced originally in a manufacturing plantas an OEM bed or by retrofitting an existing patient support such as thepatient support shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,321,878 and 6,320,510, thedisclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.When building an OEM bed, sub-frame 28 is coupled to frame 12 at themanufacturing plant. When retrofitted at the point of use or otherwise,sub-frame 28 is coupled to frame 12 at a location away from themanufacturing plant. During an OEM installation, foot end siderails 20are initially mounted to sub-frame 28. During a non-OEM retrofit, footend siderails 20 are removed from being coupled to a foot section 30 ofdeck 14 and then coupled to sub-frame 28 so that foot end siderails 20no longer articulate with foot section 30.

As shown in FIG. 4, sub-frame 28 includes a pair of rail bars 32. Onerail bar 32 is attached to each side of frame 12 to support each footend siderail 20. Each rail bar includes a body member 34, an I.V. socket36, and a pin assembly 38. Body member 34 preferably has a rectangularor square cross section. I.V. socket 36 is sized and shaped to slideover a cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 of frame 12 positioned near a footend 42 of patient support 10. I.V. socket 36 includes a space member 44and a slide cylinder 46 coupled within space member 44 at a first end48.

Slide cylinder 46 defines a circular aperture therein. The circularaperture has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter ofcylindrical I.V. mount post 40. Slide cylinder 46 passes overcylindrical I.V. mount post 40 so cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 ispositioned with the circular aperture of slide cylinder 46. Slidecylinder 46 is slightly shorter than cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 suchthat cylindrical I.V. mount post 40 extends out of circular aperture 50when cylindrical I.V. mount post is seated thereon.

A second end 52 of space member 44 is coupled to a foot end 54 of bodymember 34, preferably by welding. Space member 44 vertically andhorizontally offsets foot end 54 of body member 34 from I.V. mount post40 of frame 12. Head end 56 of body member 34 is coupled to pin assembly38.

Pin assembly 38 includes a body mount 57 and a frame mount 58. Bodymount 57 is coupled to a head end 56 of body member 34 with boltspassing through voids (not shown) defined in body mount 57 and bodymember 34 and nuts fastened to the bolts. Frame mount 58 issubstantially cylindrical having one end coupled to body mount 57 andanother end having a threaded aperture axially defined therein. Thethreaded aperture is aligned with an OEM seat section I.V. socketaperture of patient support 10. A bolt 60 is passed through a washer andthe I.V. socket aperture to threadably engage the threaded aperture andsecure pin assembly 38 to frame 12 of patient support 10 as shown inFIG. 1.

Sub-frame 28 further includes a symmetric retracting frame cross member62. As shown in FIG. 5, cross member 62 includes a laterally extendingmiddle portion 64, a pair of downwardly extending walls 66 (only one isshown in FIG. 5) coupled to opposite ends of middle portion 64, and pairof inwardly extending mounting flanges 68 (only one is shown in FIG. 5)coupled to opposite sides of frame 12. According to an alternativeembodiment of the present disclosure, the mounting flanges extendoutwardly from the bottoms of walls 66 and couple to middle portions 60of rail bodies 34 and are not coupled to frame 12.

Each rail bar 32 further includes a slide bracket 70 coupled torespective middle portions 60 of rail bodies 34. Slide brackets 70include a substantially flat metal plate 72 that couples to middleportion 60 of rail body member 34 and a pair of rods 74 that extend fromplate 72 and into walls 66.

Foot end siderails 20 and head end siderails 16 each include a railmember 76, 78 and a linkage 80. Linkage 80 includes a plurality ofsupport arms 82, 84 pivotally coupling rail member 76, 78 to a linkagebase 86. Linkage bases 86 of foot end siderails 20 are coupled torespective rods 74 of slide bracket 70 to permit sliding on rods 74.This sliding permits lateral movement of linkage bases 86 and theremainder of foot end siderails 20 relative to deck 14.

Foot end siderails 20 are coupled to frame 12 through sub-frame 28 ofthe patient support 10 rather than deck 14 of the patient support 14 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, during articulation of foot section30 of deck 14, foot end siderails 20 remain stationary.

During a non-OEM assembly, foot end siderails 20 are uncoupled for footsection 30 of deck 14. Each lateral end of cross member 62 is thencoupled to frame 12 under foot section 30. Rail bars 32 are then coupledto frame 12 by first inserting I.V. sockets 36 over respective I.V.mount posts 40 of frame 12. Frame mounts 58 of pin assemblies 38 arethen bolted to deck 14 using the previously unused I.V. socket aperturesformed in deck 14. Then body members 34 are bolted to body mounts 57 ofpin assemblies 38. In the alternative embodiment, the cross member isthen bolted to the respective body members 34 rather than to frame 12.

Next, slide brackets 70 of foot end siderails 20 are slide over rods 74.Slide brackets 70 are then bolted to body members 34 to complete therelocation of foot end siderails 20 from foot section 30 to frame 12through sub-frame 28. In an OEM application, it is unnecessary touncouple foot end siderails 20 from foot section 30 because they arenever coupled there to begin with.

Head end rail member 76 includes a steel perimeter frame member 88coupled to respective support arms 82, 84 by a downwardly extendingbracket 90, a two-piece plastic body member 92 coupled to perimeterframe member 88, and a set of plastic canes or covers 94, 96, 98 coupledto perimeter frame member 88. Foot end rail member 78 includes a steelperimeter frame member 110 coupled to respective support arms 82, 84 bya downwardly extending bracket 112, a two-piece plastic body member 114coupled to perimeter frame member 110, and a set of plastic canes orcovers 116, 118, 120 coupled to perimeter frame member 110. Preferably,perimeter frame members 88, 110 are substantially parallelogram-shapedhaving slightly rounded corners. Body members 92, 114 are substantiallyrectangular and are substantially positioned within interior regionsdefined by perimeter frame members 88, 110.

In an OEM application, covers 94, 96, 98, 116, 118, 120 are initiallycoupled to respective frame members 88, 110 at the manufacturingfacility. Preferably, end covers 94, 96, 116, 118 are placed over theends of respective frame members 88, 110. Then, fasteners, such asscrews, are used to couple covers 94, 96, 98, 116, 118, 120 to the topand bottom ends of the respective frame members 88, 110. In a retrofitapplication, the original canes (such as canes 118, 130, 120 shown inFIG. 6) are first removed from respective frame members 88, 110 at thepoint of use or other location. Then, new covers 94, 96, 98, 116, 118,120 are coupled to respective frame members 88, 110. The original canesfor head end siderail 18 are substantially similar to canes 118, 130,120 shown in FIG. 6. According to one alternative assembly process,original canes 116, 120 are recoupled to frame member 110 with new cane118.

Cane 94 provides head end siderail 18 with a head end that issubstantially vertical and perpendicular relative to a plane defined bydeck 14. Cane 96 provides head end siderail 18 with a foot end shaped asa convex arc. Cane 98 continues this convex arc over body member 92toward the head end. Preferably, this convex arc has a radius ofcurvature 132 equal to the distance between the tangent of the convexarc to a pivot point 134 of head section 26 of deck 14 as shown in FIG.2. Preferably, this distance is about 17.5 inches (444 millimeters).

Cane 116 provides foot end siderail 20 with a head end shaped asdownwardly facing concave arc. The concave arc is sized and shaped toprovide a gap of constant width between cane 96 and cane 116.Preferably, this gap is about 1.0 inches (25.4 millimeters). Accordingto another embodiment, this gap is less than or equal to 2.4 inches (60millimeters). Preferably, this concave arc has a radius of curvature 136equal to the distance between the tangent of the concave arc to pivotpoint 134 of head section 26 of deck 14. Preferably, this distance isabout 18.5 inches (470 millimeters).

Head end siderail 18 is coupled to deck 14 that articulates. Foot endsiderail 20 is coupled to frame 12 via sub-frame 28 that does notarticulate. The convex arc of cane 96 and the concave arc of cane 116complement one another during rotation of head section 26 of deck 14 tomaintain the gap at the constant width between cane 96 and cane 116 asthe patient support articulates.

As shown in FIG. 7, head end siderail 18 also includes a bail assembly138 coupled to bracket 90 of rail member 76. Bail assembly 138 includesa bracket 140 coupled to an outer wall of bracket 90, a pair of plates142, 144 coupled to bracket 140 and canes 94, 96, and a bail 146 locatedbelow rail member 76 and canes 94, 96. Bail 146 includes a plurality ofbail flaps 148 and a bail rod 150 pivotably coupled to bracket 140 andcanes 94, 96. Each bail flap 148 defines a plane and is fixedly coupledto bail rod 150 so as to be coplanar with each of the other bail flaps148. Bail flaps 148 rotate about a longitudinal axis with bail rod 150to assume first and second positions. By virtue of each of bail flaps148 being fixedly coupled to bail rod 150, bail flaps 148 rotate as one.

In a first position, as shown in FIG. 7, bail flaps 148 extend outwardfrom plates 142, 144. When head end siderail 18 is moved toward alowered position, as shown in FIG. 8, bail flaps 148 are pushed up by abracket 152 and moved toward plates 142, 144. When head end siderail 18is moved to the lowered position, as shown in FIG. 9, bail flaps 148 aresubstantially vertical and are positioned in pockets 154 defined in bail146. Bail 146 is preferably spring loaded or otherwise biased toward thefirst position. Thus, when head end siderail 18 is returned to theraised position, bail flaps 148 are returned to the first position shownin FIG. 7. When in the first position, bail flaps 148 reduce a gapbetween head end siderail 18 and mattress 16 positioned on deck 14.

Head end siderail 18 is lowered by clocking head end siderail 18.Clocking head end siderail 18 causes bracket 152 to abut bail flap 148.As head end siderail 18 continues to lower, bracket 152 continues toraise relative to bail 146. Raising bracket 152 urges bail flap 148 andbail rod 150 to rotate and ultimately assume the first position of bail146. When bail 146 is in first position, head end siderail 18 can movewithout bail 146 contacting mattress 16 or deck 14.

Preferably an OEM headboard (shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,320,510 and6,321,878) is similarly replaced with headboard 22 that presents sidessubstantially perpendicular to the plane defined by deck 14 as shown inFIG. 1. The sides of headboard 22 and head end of head end siderail 18are substantially parallel when patient support 10 is in the reclinedposition. Headboard 22 is sized to maintain a gap between headboard 22and head end of head end siderail 18 of greater than 11.82 inches (300millimeters).

To removably couple headboard to frame 12, an adaptor bracket 156 isprovided as shown in FIG. 4. Bracket 156 includes a body 158, first andsecond frame attachments 160, 162 and two headboard attachments 164.Body 158 is preferably a piece of an angle iron sized and shaped to situpon a head member 166 of frame 12. Head member 166 includes a twoheadboard posts 168 and a two I.V. mounts 170.

First and second frame attachments 160, 162 are cylindrical and haveapertures defined therein. The apertures are sized to receive headboardposts 168 of head member 166 therein. Bracket 156 is placed over headmember 166 such that each of headboard posts 168 is received within oneof the apertures of first and second frame attachments 160, 162. When soplaced, cylindrical headboard attachments 164 are substantiallyvertical.

Headboard 22 includes a pair of mount apertures formed on a bottom edgethereof. The mount apertures are sized, shaped, and spaced tosimultaneously receive both headboard attachments 164 therein. Forinstallation, headboard 22 is positioned such that each mount apertureis positioned above a headboard attachment 164 and then headboard 22 islowered such that headboard attachments 164 enter the mount apertures.

An alternative embodiment patient support 1610 is shown in FIGS. 11-16.Patient support 1610 includes a deck 1618, a mattress 1616 positioned ondeck 1618, siderails 1614 coupled to deck 1618, and flaps 1612 coupledto siderails 1614 and positioned on mattress 1616. Flaps 1612 includebase plates 1620, flap members 1622, and hinges 1624. Base plates 1620are fixedly coupled to siderails 1614 and flap members 1622 are hingedlycoupled to base plates 1620 via hinges 1624. Each flap 1612 isconfigured to block a gap 1626 defined between siderail 1614 andmattress 1616. Flaps 1612 span gap 1626 when siderails 1614 are in araised position. As shown in FIG. 13, when siderail 1614 is raised, flapmember 1622 assumes a down position and contacts mattress 1616. Loweringsiderails 1614 causes flap members 1622 to rotate via hinges 1624relative to base plate 1620 and assume a raised position as shown inFIGS. 12 and 15. When in the lowered position, siderails 1614 and flap1612 permit patient entry and egress. When siderails 1614 are raised,flap member 1622 remains in the raised position, as shown in FIG. 14,until a force (applied by gravity, a caregiver, or patient) acts uponflap member 1622 and it falls to the lowered position shown in FIG. 13.Alternatively, flap member 1622 contacts mattress 1616 as it raises andchanges position as siderail 1614 changes position.

An alternative embodiment siderail 1660 is shown in FIGS. 17-21including a rail extension 1692. Siderails 1660 are configured to becoupled to a deck (not shown). Each siderail 1660 is configured to movebetween raised blocking positions, as shown in FIG. 17, and loweredegress positions, to permit entry and egress of patients into and out ofa patient support, as shown in FIG. 18. Each siderail 1660 includes arail member 1664, linkage assembly 1666, and a deck mount 1662configured to mount to the underside of a deck. Linkage assembly extendsbetween rail member 1664 and deck mount 1662 and permits rail member1664 to be moved between the raised and lowered positions.

Rail member 1664 is an elongated, substantially flat piece of metal,plastic, or combination thereof. Rail member 1664 has two ends 1668,1670, an upper side 1672, a lower side 1674, an inner side 1676 thatfaces a mattress (not shown), and an outer side 1680. Rail member 1664also has apertures 1682 defined therein near each end 1668, 1670.Because of the clearance provided by apertures 1682, rail member 1664define relatively thin handles 1684 suitable for grasping by a user.

The bottom of each handle 1684 further has a void 1686 defined therein.Void 1686 is sized to receive a screw, bolt, rivet, or other suitablefastener 1688 that couples a rail extension holder 1690 to rail member1664. Rail extension 1692 is rotatably coupled to rail extension holder1690. Preferably, rail extension 1692 is a shaped metal rod as shown inFIGS. 17-21. Rail extension holder 1690 allows rail extension 1692 toassume a plurality of positions relative to rail member 1664 duringraising and lower of rail member 1664.

Linkage assembly 1666 is attached to inner side 1676 of rail member1664. Linkage assembly 1666 includes two link members 1694. Link members1694 are substantially identical angled metal or plastic pieces. Firstends 1696 of link members 1694 have axles 1698 extending therefrom.Axles 1698 rotatably couple to rail members 1664 so as to rotatablycouple link members 1694 to rail members 1664. Likewise, second ends1700 of link members 1694 have axles 1702 extending therefrom. Axles1702 rotatably couple to deck mount 1662.

Rail member 1664 may assume a plurality of positions relative to deck1662 such as a raised position, shown in FIGS. 17, 19 and 20, a loweredposition, shown in FIGS. 18 and 21, and intermediate positions. Whenrail member 1664 is in the raised position, rail extension 1692 is ableto assume a lowered position hanging from rail member 1664. Railextension 1692 blocks a gap defined between rail member 1664 and amattress (not shown). When rail member 1664 is lowered, link members1694 contact rail extension 1692. After initial contact between railextension 1692 and link member 1694, further lowering of rail member1664 causes rail extension 1692 to rotate within extension holder 1690towards a raised position shown in FIG. 18. Thus, rail extension 1692does not impede the movement of rail member 1664 between the raised andlowered positions. When rail member 1664 is in a fully lowered position,rail extension 1692 is in a fully raised position relative to railmember 1164. When rail extension 1692 is not in a fully loweredposition, the rotational position of rail extension 1692 is dictated bycontact with link members 1694 and contact between rail extension 1692and link members 1694 remains constant.

Another embodiment patient support 1910 is shown in FIGS. 22-25. Patientsupport 1910 includes mattress retainers 1912 similar to mattressretainers 1862, siderails 1914, a mattress 1916, and a deck 1918.Siderails 1914 include rail members 1920 and linkages 1922 that couplerail members 1920 to deck 1918. Linkages 1922 include two linkagemembers 1924 and lever members 1926 fixedly coupled to each linkagemember 1924. As shown in FIG. 24, mattress retainers 1912 include basemembers 1928, height adjust sliders 1930 slidably coupled to basemembers 1928, retainer members 1932 fixedly coupled to base members 1928and slidably coupled to deck 1918, and springs 1934 that surroundportions of retainer members 1932.

Connector pins 1936 are provided that are positioned in connector voids1938 formed in height adjust sliders 1930 to slidably couple base member1928 to slider 1930. Height adjust sliders 1930 are rotatably coupled tolever members 1926. Deck 1918 has a pair of apertures 1940 definedtherein through which retainer member 1932 extends.

Retainer members 1932 are preferably rigid U-shaped metal wires or rods.A base 1942 of U-shaped retainer member 1932 is positioned above deck1918 so as to allow tines 1944 of U-shaped retainer member 1932 toextend through apertures 1940 of deck 1918 and cores of coil springs1934 and couple to base member 1928. Each mattress retainer 1912 isconfigured to limit or block a gap between siderail 1914 and mattress1916. Mattress retainers 1912 achieve the limiting of gaps by securingthe positioning of mattress 1916. Mattress retainers 1912 engage sidesof mattress 1916 to prevent lateral mattress 1916 shifting. Furthermore,retainers 1912 block the compression of the upper corners of mattress1916 when a patient lies near siderail 1914. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, retainers are provided adjacentthe foot end siderails, if any.

Mattress retainers 1912 are configured to retract or lower whensiderails 1914 are moved to a lowered position as shown in FIG. 23. Bylowering retainer 1912 when siderail 1914 is lowered, retainer 1912 nolonger presents an obstacle to the entry or egress of a patient.

As shown in FIG. 24, to lower siderail 1914 from a raised siderailposition, rail member 1920 is urged in direction 1946 and “clocks”toward the lowered position. Movement of siderail 1914 in direction 1946causes linkage members 1924 to rotate counterclockwise in direction1948. Rotation of linkage members 1924 in a counterclockwise directioncauses attached lever members 1926 to rotate therewith. Rotation oflever members 1926 cause attached height adjustment sliders 1930 to movetherewith. Height adjustment sliders 1930 are able to slide horizontallyrelative to base members 1928 because of elongated connection voids 1938of sliders 1930 and connector pins 1936 of base members 1938 so thatonly the vertical component of the rotation of lever members 1926 istranslated to base members 1938.

Base members 1938 then lower in direction 1950 as urged by heightadjustment members 1930 and springs 1934 that bias base members 1938toward deck 1918 are expanded. Thus, as rail members 1920 are lowered,retainer members 1932 are likewise lowered as shown in FIG. 25.Conversely, raising of rail member 1920 by rotating rail member 1920clockwise in direction 1952 causes retain member 1932 to raise indirection 1954 as shown in FIG. 25 to the position shown in FIG. 24.

Another patient support 510 is provided in FIG. 26. Patient support 510includes a bedframe including a base frame (not shown), and intermediateframe 512 supported above the base frame by lift arms 514, and anarticulating deck 516 supported on intermediate frame 512. Patientsupport 510 further includes a head end siderail 518 coupled to a headsection 520 of deck 516 and an intermediate siderail 522 coupled tointermediate frame 512.

Each siderail 518, 522 includes an upper edge 524, 526 that includes asubstantially flat portion 528, 530 and a notched portion 532, 534.Additionally, siderail 518 includes an left-most edge 536 that includesa circular portion 538 and upper edge 526 of side rail 522 includes acircular portion 540. Circular portions 538, 540 have radii of curvaturethat extend from an axis of rotation 542 of head section 520 of deck516.

Notched portion 534 permits a portion 544 of siderail 518 positionednearest a foot end of patient support 510 to rotate further about axisof rotation 542 before a gap 546 between portion 544 and siderail 522begins to close. Thus, head section 520 of deck 516 can rotate furtherabout axis of rotation 542. Circular portions 538, 540 permit siderail518 to rotate relative to siderail 522 without gap 546 narrowing.

Notched portions 532, 534 define a distance 535 between their respectivevertically extending edges 537, 539 that is at least 318 mm (12.5inches). Gap 546 is preferably between 25 mm (1 inch) and 60 mm (2.4inches). By providing notched portions 532, 534, a caregiver is providedeasier access to a patient positioned on the mattress.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure,notched portion 532 of upper edge 524 is not provided and a left-mostedge 545 (partially shown in phantom) is provided that is the inverse ofnotched portion 534 of side rail 522. Thus, when head section 520 andsiderail 518 are rotated to the inclined position, left-most edge 545 isparallel to notched portion 532 of upper edge 524 and spaced equidistanttherefrom.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a patient support410 is provided with head and foot end siderails 416, 418, a headboard478 shown in FIGS. 27-29. Headboard 478 includes a pair of substantiallyvertical side edges 480, 482, a horizontal top edge 484, and a pair ofangled edges 486, 488 extending between side edges 480,482 and top edge484. When a mattress 719 is positioned on a deck 720, vertical edges480, 482 are positioned below the upper surface of mattress 719.

As shown in FIG. 28, head end siderail 416 includes a side edge 490having upper and lower angled portions 492, 494. Lower angled portion494 of siderail 416 and angled edge 486 cooperate to define a gap 496therebetween of a consistent distance. Preferably, this distance isgreater than or equal to 318 mm (12.5 inches). Headboard 478 includes apair of apertures sized to receive posts 470 on an intermediate frame432.

An alternative pair of head and foot end siderail members 918, 920 isshown in FIG. 31. Foot end siderail member 920 includes a circular endedge 922 that peaks and travels downward before meeting a substantiallyflat edge 924.

An alternative embodiment pair of head and foot end siderails 1450, 1452is provided in FIG. 32. Head and foot end siderails 1450, 1452 includinga pair of substantially flat, parallel surfaces 1454, 1456. Foot endsiderail 1452 includes an upper circular corner 1458 having a radius ofcurvature of approximately 8.5 inches and a lower rounded corner 1460.When head end siderail 1450 is in the lowered position, surfaces 1454,1456 are spaced apart by more than 25 mm, but less than 60 mm. Becauseof upper circular corner 1458, as head end side rail 1450 is raised,this gap remains greater than 25 mm. Additional details of how siderails1450, 1452 are coupled to the deck are provided with the disclosure forpatient support 210.

A patient support 610 is shown in FIG. 33 for supporting a patientbefore, after, or during medical treatment or for resting. Patientsupport 610 includes a bedframe 612, a mattress 614 supported bybedframe 612, a headboard 616 coupled to bedframe 612, a footboard 618coupled to bedframe 612, and a pair of siderails 620, 622 also coupledto bedframe 612. Gaps may exist between these components. For example, aheadboard/siderail gap 624 is defined between headboard 616 and siderail620. Other similar gaps may exist between siderails 620, 622 andfootboard 618. A headboard/mattress gap 626 is defined between headboard616 and mattress 614. Other similar gaps may exist between siderails620, 622 and mattress 614. Furthermore, gaps or openings 627 may alsoexist in headboard 616, footboard 618, and siderail 620, 622 themselves.According to the present disclosure, various apparatus and methods areprovided to reduce or eliminate these and other gaps and openings onpatients supports.

As shown in FIG. 34, a siderail 628 includes a perimeter rail 630, apair of vertical cross members 632 extending between upper and lowerportions 634, 636 of perimeter rail 630, and a Z-shaped insert 638 thecovers respective upper and lower portions of vertical cross members 632and extends therebetween. Perimeter rail 630, cross members 632, andinsert 638 cooperate to define openings 640, 642 in siderail 628.

Bumpers 644 are provided to decrease the width of openings 640, 642. Forexample, two bumpers 644 are coupled to insert 638 to decrease the widthof the upper and side portions of opening 640. A bumper 644 is coupledto insert 638 to decrease the width of opening 642. Alternatively,bumpers 644 may be coupled to other locations on siderail 628. Forexample, as shown in the lower right-hand portion of rail 628, bumper644 is coupled to perimeter rail 630. According to the preferredembodiment of the present disclosure, bumpers 644 are provided so that acone having a maximum diameter of 120 mm cannot pass through openings640, 642. Thus, after installation of bumpers 644, the maximum open areain the siderail does not exceed 120 mm in diameter.

Preferably, bumpers 644 include a rigid base 648 and a compliant top 650made of a rubber material coupled to base 648. Base 648 is preferablycoupled to rail 628 by a screw (not shown). According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, the bumpers are coupled to thesiderails by other types of fasteners such as adhesives, bolts, rivets,or other fasteners known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

According to one installation procedure, bumpers 644 are installed tosiderail 628 at the location of use of siderail 628, such as a hospitalor other care facility, after siderail 628 and the remainder of theaccompanying bed have been transported to the care facility. Accordingto another installation procedure, bumpers 644 are installed at themanufacturing facility before shipment to the care facility.

An alternative embodiment bumper 650 is shown in FIG. 35. Bumper 650 isformed from a rubber material in a half-cylinder shape and is coupled toinsert 638 by a screw 652. According to an alternative arrangement,bumpers 650 are coupled to other locations on siderail 628 such as onthe inner surfaces of perimeter rail 630 or cross members 632 todecrease the width of openings 640, 642. Alternatively, these bumpers650 may be coupled to siderail 628 using the other fasteners andinstallation procedures described for bumpers 644 mentioned above.

A plurality of panels 654, 656 are also provided that partially fillopening 640. Panels 654, 656 are configured to reduce to the width ofopening 640. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, additional panels are provided that entirely fill openings640 and either partially or completely fill openings 642. Preferably,panels 654, 656 are made of a transparent material such aspolycarbonate, Lexan-brand plastic, Plexiglas-brand plastic, or othermaterial. According to other alternative embodiments, the panels aremade of translucent or opaque materials.

Another alternative embodiment patient support 2060 is shown in FIG. 36.Patient support 2060 includes a deck 2066, a mattress 2068 positioned ondeck 2066, and foot and head end siderails 2062, 2064 coupled to deck2066. Siderails 2062, 2064 include a rail member 2070 and linkages 2072coupling rail member 2070 to deck 2066. Rail member 2070 includes aperimeter rail 2074, a central body 2076 fixed to perimeter rail 2074,and inserts 2078 removably coupled to perimeter rail 2074. Central body2076 is coupled within an interior of perimeter rail 2074. Central body2076 and perimeter rail 2074 cooperate to define openings 2080 insiderails 2062, 2064.

Inserts 2078 are provided to decrease the width of openings 2080.Inserts 2078 include a rail engagement side 2082. Rail engagement side2082 includes a rail track 2084 and two track walls 2086 as shown inFIG. 38. Rail track 2084 is a recessed area approximately the width ofperimeter rail 2074. When positioned adjacent rail 2074, rail trackwalls 2086 engage perimeter rail 2074. Preferably, when inserts arepositioned in openings 2080, a cylinder having a diameter of 60 mm orgreater cannot be inserted into opening 2080.

Another alternative embodiment siderail 2110 is shown in FIG. 39.Siderails 2110 include a rail member 2112 and linkages 2114 couplingrail member 2112 to deck 2116. Rail member 2112 includes a perimeterrail 2118, a central body 2120 fixed to perimeter rail 2118, and inserts2122 coupled to perimeter rail 2118. Central body 2120 is coupled withinan interior of perimeter rail 2118. Central body 2120 and perimeter rail2118 cooperate to define openings 2124 in siderails 2110.

Inserts 2122 are provided to decrease the width of openings 2124.Inserts 2122 are preferably metal tubes bent to the shape shown best inFIGS. 41 and 42. Inserts 2122 include a short side 2126, a long side2128, and an end 2130 linking the two sides 2126, 2128. Perimeter rails2118 have pairs of apertures 2132 configured to receive ends of sides2126, 2128 of inserts 2122. Inserts 2122 are attached to perimeter rails2118 with fasteners that extend through apertures 2132. Inserts 2122extend from perimeter rails 2118 into openings 2124 to decrease thewidth of openings 2124. Preferably, when inserts 2122 are positioned inthe openings, a cylinder having a diameter of 60 mm or greater cannot beinserted into the openings.

Alternative embodiment inserts 2134, 2136 are shown in FIGS. 43-45.Inserts 2134, 2135 are similar to insert 2078 but designed to fitsiderail 2110. Inserts 2134, 2136 have rail engagement sides 2136including rail tracks 2138, rail track walls 2140, and a void 2142defined therein as shown in FIG. 45. Rail tracks 2138 are a recessedarea approximately the width of perimeter rail 2118. When inserts 2134,2136 are positioned adjacent rail 2118, rail track walls 2140 engageperimeter rail 2118. Inserts 2134, 2136 are coupled to rail 2118 byfasteners, adhesives, or other couplers known to those of ordinary skillin the art. Preferably, when inserts 2134, 2136 are positioned in theopenings, a cylinder having a diameter of 60 mm or greater cannot beinserted into the openings.

Another alternative embodiment insert 2144 is shown in FIGS. 46-48.Insert 2144 is similar to inserts 2134, but extend to fill two corners.Insert 2144 has rail engagement sides 2146, rail tracks 2148, rail trackwalls 2150, and voids 2152 defined therein as shown in FIG. 48. Insert2144 is designed to attach within two rounded 90-degree corners ofperimeter rail 2118. Inserts 2144 are coupled to rail 2118 by fasteners,adhesives, or other couplers known to those of ordinary skill in theart. Preferably, when inserts 2144 are positioned in the openings, acylinder having a diameter of 60 mm or greater cannot be inserted intothe openings.

As shown in FIG. 49, a siderail 658 is provided with a clear plasticcover 698. Plastic cover 698 is a sleeve that slides over siderail 658to block openings 664, 666. When a new patient is positioned on theassociated patient support, plastic cover 698 is removed and replacedwith a new or cleaned plastic cover. At least one edge 699 of cover 698is open to permit placement of cover 698 over siderail 58. Fasteners,such as hook-and-loop type fasteners are provided to hold open edge 699together after placement of cover 698 over siderail 658. According toalternative embodiments of the present disclosure, other types offasteners are provided to hold the open edge together such as adhesives,straps, ties, button, snaps, or other fasteners known to those ofordinary skill in the art.

Siderail 658 is provided with another embodiment clear plastic cover 710shown in FIG. 51. Cover 710 is a clear plastic sheet of material that iswrapped around siderail 658 from a roll 712 of plastic sheet. An exampleof such a plastic sheet of material is plastic shrink wrap used forpacking.

According to one alternative embodiment, the plastic sheet is thermallyreactive and shrinks in reaction to heat. Such plastic materials arecommonly used to cover windows during cold months. After siderail 658 iswrapped, a heat source (such as a hair dryer) is used to blow hot airover the sheet. The sheet then shrinks to form a tight fit over siderail658. When a new patient uses the patient support, the plastic sheet isremoved and replaced with a new wrapping of plastic material.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure,patient support 210 is provided with a patient-assist arm 244 as shownin FIG. 53. Patient-assist arm 244 is pivotally coupled to a headsection of the articulating deck to move therewith. Preferably,patient-assist arm is raised when the siderail is lowered to providesomething for the patient positioned on patient assist to grab whenentering or exiting patient support 210.

Patient-assist arm 244 pivots about an axis of rotation 246 that islocated in a vertical plane and at an angle of 45 degrees relative tothe head section of the deck. Thus, when patient-assist arm 244 is movedfrom a raised position, as shown in FIG. 53, to a lowered positiontucked under the head section of the deck, a handle portion 248 ofpatient-assist arm 244 moves transversely away from mattress 222 untilpatient assist arm 244 is in the same plane as the head section. Aspatient-assist arm 244 is rotated further toward the lowered position,handle portion 248 moves transversely toward mattress 222. Furthermore,as patient-assist arm 244 is lowered, handle portion 248 moves toward ahead end of patient support 210.

Additional disclosure of patient-assist arm 244 and configuration forcoupling and latching patient-assist arm to a deck section is providedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,327 to Celestina et al, the disclosure of whichis expressly incorporated by reference herein. According to alternativeembodiments of the present disclosure, other configurations ofpatient-assist arms are coupled to the head section of the deck usingthe angled pivot arrangement shown U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,327. According toanother embodiment, the patient-assist arms shown in U.S. Pat. No.6,240,583, filed Nov. 9, 1999 to Brooke et al. are coupled to the headsection to rotate about the angle pivot. Alternatively, the patientassist arms are coupled to the head section using the couplingconfiguration provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,583, the disclosure ofwhich is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Another patient support 810 is provided in FIG. 54. Patient support 810includes a bedframe 812 including a base frame 814 and intermediateframe 716 supported above base frame 814 by lift arms 718, and anarticulating deck 720 supported on intermediate frame 716.

Patient support 810 further includes a foot end siderail 816 coupled todeck 720. According to an alternative embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the foot end siderail is coupled to the intermediate frame.Patient support 810 further includes a head end siderail/headrail 818that is positioned on each side of head section 724 and around the endof head section 724. Rail 818 is pivotally coupled to intermediate frame716 by a support arm 820. As shown in FIG. 55, rail 818 is configured tomove to a lowered position permitting egress of a patient from patientsupport 810. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the rail is coupled to the head section of the deck.

A portion of a patient support is shown in FIG. 56 along with a blocker344 coupled to perimeter rail 332 of siderails 324, 328 by a pair ofstraps 346. Blocker 344 includes a rigid back panel 348 and a foam panel350 coupled to back panel 348. Panels 348, 350 are formed to include aplurality of apertures 352 therein to facilitate seeing through blocker344. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,other sizes, and shapes of apertures, if any, are provided.

As shown in FIG. 57, blocker 344 covers or blocks access to a gap 354between siderails 324, 328 and a mattress 356 when siderails 324, 328are in the raised position. When siderails 324, 328 are rotated to thelowered position, blocker 344 rotates to the outside of siderail 324,328 as shown in FIG. 58. When siderails 324, 328 are raised again,blocker 344 is flipped back over siderails 324, 328 to the positionshown in FIG. 57. According to alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the blocker is provided with only a clear rigid panel.

Another deck 1046 and mattress 1048 are shown in FIG. 59. Deck 1046includes a plurality of voids 1050 sized to receive magnets 1052 coupledto mattress 1048 to prevent transverse shifting of mattress 1048 on deck1046. According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure,the deck is an articulating deck such as deck 14 described above.

As shown in FIG. 60, deck 1046 includes a plastic deck panel 1054 and asteel receptacle 1056 coupled to an underside of panel 1054. Deck panel1054 includes an aperture 1058 and receptacle 1056 include a depression1060 that cooperates with aperture 1058 to define voids 1050 sized toreceive magnet 1052. Because receptacle 1056 is made of a ferrous metal,magnet 1052 is attracted to receptacle 1056 and “sticks” thereto.According to alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, a flatmetal plate is provided in place of the metal receptacles. According toan alternative embodiment, the deck is made of steel and formed toinclude channels to receive magnets 1052.

Mattress 1026 includes a layer of tick or a cover 1062, a fire barrier1064, and a foam core 1066 positioned in fire barrier 1064. According toalternative embodiments, other core configurations known to those ofordinary skill in the art are provided. A plastic panel 1068 is adheredto core 1066 and a plywood board 1070 is sandwiched between plasticpanel 1068 and core 1066. A screw 1072 is driven through magnet 1052,cover 1062, fire barrier 1064, plastic panel 1068, and into board 1070to couple magnets 1052 to mattress 1048. Preferably, magnets 1052 areflexible and are 8 inches long, 1.5 inches wide, and 0.25 inches thick.

To couple mattress 1026 to deck 1046, mattress 1026 is first positionedon deck 1026. Mattress 1026 is then slid transversely until magnets 1052“drop” into voids 1050 and stick to metal receptacles 1056. Because deckpanel 1054 is plastic, magnets 1052 are not attracted to panel 1054 andslide freely on panel 1054. In addition to the attraction of magnets1052 to metal receptacles 1056, the interaction of the edges of magnets1052 with the edges defining voids 1050 prevents transverse movement ofmattress 1026. To remove mattress 1026, magnets 1052 are lifted out ofvoids 1050 against the magnetic force between magnets 1052 andreceptacles 1056.

An alternative embodiment deck 1074, magnet 1076, and receptacle 1078are shown in FIG. 61. A plastic deck panel 1080 of deck 1074 andreceptacle 1078 include inclined edges 1082, 1084 that define anundercut that receive an inclined edge 1086 of magnet 1076. After magnet1076 drops into void 1088 defined by panel 1080 and receptacle 1078, anymovement of mattress 1026 in direction 1090 pulls inclined edge 1086into the undercut. Contact between inclined edges 1086, 1082, 1084prevents any further movement of mattress 1026 and locks magnets 1076against being withdrawn from void 1088. To remove magnet 1076, it mustbe slide in direction 1092 until magnet 1076 clears the undercut.According to alternative embodiments, the receptacle is a flat metalplate.

An alternative embodiment patient support 1510 is shown in FIGS. 62-66.Patient support 1510 includes a deck 1520, a mattress 1518, siderails1516, and a pair of flaps 1512, 1514 coupled to deck 1520. Flaps 1512,1514 are positioned between siderails 1516 and mattress 1518 as shown inFIG. 62. Each flap 1512, 1514 reduces the width of gaps 1522, 1523defined between siderails 1516 and mattress 1518. Flaps 1512, 1514reside within gap 1522 between siderails 1516 and mattress 1518 whensiderails 1516 are in a raised position as shown in FIG. 62 and therebyblock and/or reduce the size of gap 1523 as shown in FIG. 65.

As shown in FIGS. 67 and 68, each flap 1512, 1514 includes a base plate1536, latch 1538, latch pivot pin 1540 pivotably coupling latch 1538 tobase plate 1536, spring positioned between latch 1538 and base plate1536, and hinges 1544. Base plates 1536 of head end flap 1512 and footend flap 1514 couple to deck 1520.

Head end flap 1512 includes a main flap 1524 and an auxiliary flap 1526that is pivotable relative to main flap 1524 at a pivot 1532 betweenmain and auxiliary flaps 1524, 1526. Main flap 1524 is attached to andextends along a head section 1528 of patient support 1510. Auxiliaryflap 1526 extends along a seat section 1530 of patient support 1510.Pivot 1532 is positioned above a pivot 1534 of head section 1528 andseat section 1530. As head section 1528 articulates relative to seatsection 1530, flaps 1524, 1526 maintain their positions relative totheir respective sections 1528, 1530 of patient support 1510 as shown inFIG. 63.

Lowering siderails 1516 allows main flap 1524 to rotate via hinges 1544relative to deck 1520 and assume a lowered position as shown in FIG. 64.When in the lowered position, siderails 1516 and flaps 1524 do not blockegress of a patient.

Flaps 1512, 1514 are preferably detachable from the rest of the patientsupport to permit removal of flaps 1512, 1514 from deck 1520. Latches1538 and base plates 1536 removably clamp flaps 1512, 1514 to deck 1520.Base plates 1536 include a hook portion or a plurality of hook portions1546 that engage a side of deck 1520 as shown in FIGS. 69 and 70. Latch1538 also has a hook portion 1548. Latch 1538 has a first positionwherein latch 1538 engages a top of deck 1520 and a second positionwherein latch 1538 disengages deck 1520. Spring 1542 urges latch 1538 tothe first position where latch 1538 and hook portions 1546, 1548 combineto clamp flaps 1512, 1514 to deck 1520. To remove flaps 1512, 1514 fromdeck 1520, latch 1538 is placed in second position to disengage latch1538 from deck 1520 and allow flaps 1512, 1514 to be removed. Raisingsiderail 1516 causes siderail 1516 to contact and raise flaps 1512, 1514in direction of arrow 1550 as shown in FIG. 67.

Another embodiment patient support 1960 is shown in FIG. 71. Patientsupport 1960 includes a deck 1966, a mattress 1964 positioned on deck1966, and siderails 1962 coupled to deck 1966. Siderails 1962 includerail members 1968 and linkages 1970 that couple rail members 1968 todeck 1966. Each rail member 1968 includes a vertical portion 1972 and ahorizontal wedge portion 1974 coupled to vertical portion 1972 near ahead end 1976 of rail member 1968. Wedge portion 1974 extends intomattress 1964 when siderail 1962 is in a raised position and slightlycompress mattress 1964. Wedge portion 1974 blocks a gap defined betweenmattress 1964 and head end of rail member 1968.

Another alternative embodiment siderail 2210 is shown in FIGS. 73 and74. Siderails 2210 include a rail member 2212 and a coupler mechanism2214 coupling rail member 2212 to deck 2216. Rail member 2212 includesan upright portion 2218, preferably a U-shaped tube constructed frommetal or stiff plastic, and an attachment portion 2220. Attachmentportion 2220 is preferably a flat plate that extends between tines 2222of upright portion 2218 and has an attachment void 2221 and a lock void2223. Coupler mechanism 2214 includes a deck mount 2224 configured toattach to an underside of deck 2216. Deck mount 2244 includes a flange2232 that couples to deck 2216 and slide posts 2234 rigidly coupled toflange 2232. Coupler mechanism 2214 further includes a slide member 2217that slide on posts 2234 of deck mount 224, a rotation plate 2226attached to slide member 2217, a lever 2228 hingedly attached torotation plate 2226, and a spring 2230 that biases lever 2228 towardrotation plate 2226.

Rotation plate 2226 includes a slide attachment 2236, a spacer 2238, ahinge member 2240, and a spring attachment void 2241. Lever 2228includes a hinge void 2242, a lock pin 2244, a spring attachment void2246, and a release arm 2248 having a push plate 2250 thereon. Spring2230 is a coil type spring that extends between spring attachment voids2241, 2246.

Slide attachment 2236 of rotation plate 2226 includes apertures 2252positioned to align with similar apertures 2254 in slide 2216 to receivebolts or another suitable couplers. Spacer 2238 is coupled, preferablyby welding, to slide attachment 2236 and rotation plate 2226 andincludes a hinge pin 2256 extending upwardly therefrom. Hinge pin 2256in positioned in hinge void 2242 of lever 2228 to allow lever 2228 torotate thereon. Hinge member 2240 includes a vertical plate, ahorizontally extending, threaded hinge pin 2258, an upper rotation stop2260, a lower rotation stop 2262, a lock pin void 2264 and springattachment void 2241.

Release arm 2248 is a substantially flat piece of metal having hingevoid 2242 defined in a first end 2266 thereof. Push plate 2250 is asubstantially flat piece of metal perpendicularly coupled to a secondend 2286 of release arm 2248. Spring attachment void 2246 is disposed ina metal appendage 2270 that extends upwardly from release arm 2248. Lockpin 2244 extends horizontally from a metal flange 2272 that extendsdownwardly from release arm 2248. Spring 2230 biases lock pin 2244 to afirst position within lock pin void 2264.

Threaded hinge pin 2258 is positioned within attachment void 2221 ofattachment portion 2220. Washers 2274, 2276 are positioned on hinge pin2258 and a nut 2278 is threaded onto hinge pin 2258 to rotatably secureattachment portion 2220 of rail member 2212 to rotation plate 2226 ofcoupling mechanism 2214. Lock void 2223 is positioned such that whenlever 2228 is in first position and rail member 2212 is in a raisedposition, lock pin 2244 extends through lock pin void 2264 and lock void2223 to prevent relative motion between rail member 2212 and deck 2216.

Depressing push plate 2250 places lever 2228 in a second position.During movement of lever 2228 to the second position, lock pin 2244 isremoved from lock void 2223 to permit attachment portion 2220 to rotaterelative to rotation plate 2226 in direction 2280. This also moves railmember 2212 to a lowered position as shown in FIGS. 74, 76. Clockwiserotation of attach portion 2220 is limited by upper rotation stop 2260so that rail member 2212 cannot move beyond the lowered position.Likewise, from the lowered position, rotation in counterclockwisedirection 2282, moves rail member 2212 to the raised position.Counterclockwise rotation of attach portion 2220 is limited by lowerrotation stop 226 so that rail member 2212 cannot move past the raisedposition. When in this position, lock pin 2264 aligns with lock void2223 as shown in FIGS. 73, 75 to lock rail member 2212 in the raisedposition.

A removable rail member 2284 is shown in FIGS. 78 and 79. Rail member2284 includes an attachment housing 2286 and a rail member 2288.Attachment housing 2286 is substantially rectangular and is configuredto slidably over rail member 2212 as shown in FIG. 78. As shown in FIG.79, rail member 2288 includes a perimeter rail 2290 and two interiorsupport struts 2292 to that couple perimeter rail 2290 to attachmenthousing 2286. Rail member 2284 provides siderail 2210 with greatercoverage and permits removal for greater access to the patient.

Another alternative embodiment blocker 358 is shown in FIG. 80. Blocker358 includes a wedge shaped foam core 360 and a cover 362 coupled to acover 364 of mattress 356. As shown in FIG. 81, blocker 358 covers orblocks access to gap 354. When siderails 324, 328 are rotated to thelowered position, blocker 358 rotates to the outside of siderail 324,328 as shown in FIG. 82. When siderails 324, 328 are raised again,blocker 358 is flipped back over rails 324, 328 to the position shown inFIG. 81.

Another alternative embodiment patient support 2510 is shown in FIGS. 83and 84 having a frame 2512, a deck 2514 supported by frame 2512, amattress 2518 positioned on deck 2514, and siderails 2516 coupled todeck 2514. Each siderail 2516 includes a base 2520, a linkage 2522, anda rail member 2524.

As shown in FIG. 85, base 2520 includes a vertical plate 2534, linkageattachment flange 2526 extending from plate 2534, deck attachment flange2528 extending from plate 2534, rail attachment hinge 2530 coupled toplate 2534, and a position lock 2532 coupled to vertical plate 2534.Plate 2534 is a preferably a substantially flat metal rectangle. Deckattachment flange 2528 is a flat metal flange that extendsperpendicularly to plate 2534. Deck attachment flange 2528 is positionedbetween mattress 2518 and deck 2514 and has a plurality of apertures(not pictured) defined therein so that fasteners can be passed throughthe aperture to fasten base 2520 to deck 2514. Alternatively, thesiderail is coupled to the remainder of the patent support by the deckattachment flange being frictionally or otherwise coupled to the deckand/or mattress.

Linkage attachment flange 2526 are flat metal flanges that extendperpendicularly to plate 2534 away from mattress 2518. Linkageattachment flange 2526 have holes 2536 defined therein for receiving asuitable coupler 2538. Rail attachment hinge 2530 is preferably a strapof seatbelt-like material. Hinge 2530 has a mating snap at both endssuch that the material couples to base 2520 and to rail member 2524 thatalso has a snap clasp thereon. Rail attachment hinge 2530 allows railmember 2524 to pivot relative to base 2520. Position lock 2532 is aplastic piece mounted on plate 2534. Position lock 2532 is substantiallyrectangular and includes rounded corners, a lock track 2540, and twolips 2542. Lock track 2540 is a channel positioned between lips 2542that extends along the outer edge of position lock 2532. Lock track 2540is sized to receive a lock bar 2544 of linkage 2522. Position lock 2532also includes holes 2546 that receive connectors that couple positionlock 2532 to plate 2534.

Linkage 2522 includes a lock bar 2544, two slide base connectors orlinkages 2550 slidably and rotatably coupled to base 2520, and two railconnectors 2552 fixedly coupled to rail member 2524. Lock bar 2544 is abent aluminum rod including a first end 2554, second end 2556, andmiddle 2558 positioned between first end 2554 and second end 2556. Firstend 2554 is partially threaded to receive a nut thereon and issubstantially straight. Moving from first end 2554 toward middle 2558,lock bar 2544 makes a rounded 90-degree bend, has a first displacementsection 2560, makes a second 90-degree bend, and then forms middle 2558that is parallel with first end 2554. Moving from middle 2558 towardsecond end 2560 lock bar 2544 makes a rounded 90-degree bend, has asecond displacement section 2562 parallel with first displacementsection 2560, makes another 90-degree bend, and then forms partiallythreaded second end 2556 that is collinear with first end 2554. Middle2558 of lock bar 2544 has a diameter sized to be received within locktrack 2540 of position lock 2532.

Slide base linkages 2550 are generally flat metal elongated members eachhaving an upper end 2564, a lower end 2566, an elongated hole or track2568 defined therein extending from upper end 2564 to lower end 2566,and a lock bar aperture 2570 at upper end 2564. Track 2568 is sized toreceive coupler 2538 therein so that linkage 2520 is thereby slidablycoupled to base 2520 as coupler 2538 is able to slide to a plurality ofpositions within track 2568. Lock bar aperture 2570 is preferablyseparated from track 2568; however, embodiments are envisioned where awasher is provided that is welded over track 2569 thereby partitioningoff part of track 2569 that the washer defines the lock bar aperture.

Rail connectors 2552 are flat rounded rectangle metal plates includinglock bar holes 2574 and rail connecting holes 2576. Lock bar holes 2574are sized to receive ends 2554, 2556 of lock bar 2544 therethrough. Railconnecting holes 2576 are sized to receive a suitable connector tocouple rail connectors 2552 to rail members 2524. When assembled, ends2554, 2556 of lock bar 2544 extend through lock bar apertures 2570 oflinkages 2522 and holes 2574 of rail connectors 2552. A nut or otherfastener is provided on ends 2554, 2556 to hold lock bar 2544 in therespective apertures.

Rail member 2524 includes an endoskeleton or inner support member 2578and a cushion 2580. Endoskeleton 2578 is constructed from plastic orother substantially rigid material having a substantially triangularcross section. Endoskeleton 2578 includes a first solid side 2582, asecond solid side 2584 coupled to first solid side 2582, two ends 2586each coupled to both solid sides 2582, 2584, and an open side defined bysides 2582, 2584 and ends 2586. First solid side 2582 is spaced apartfrom base 2520 of siderail 2516. First solid side 2582 curves as itmeets second solid side 2584. Second solid side 2584 has snap claspsattached thereto to attach to snaps of rail attachment hinge 2530. Ends2586 are substantially triangular and have holes defined therein forreceiving a suitable connector to couple rail connectors 2552 to railmembers 2524. Cushion 2580 includes a soft inner portion (not pictured)and a pliable plastic cover 2588. Soft inner portion covers the outsideof endoskeleton 2578 on all sides except the open side. Inner portion ispreferably thicker outside first solid side 2582 and ends 2586 than itis outside second solid side 2584. Plastic cover 2588 is preferablyliquid proof and combines with endoskeleton 2578 to encompasses innerportion.

In operation, siderails 2516 may assume three positions, a raisedposition, shown in FIGS. 83 and 85, an extended position shown in FIG.84, and an egress position shown in FIG. 88. In the raised position, theportion of cover 2588 outside second side 2584 rests upon mattress 2518,coupler 2538 is located near the lower end 2566 of track 2568, secondsolid side 2584 forms a substantially right angle with plate 2534 ofbase 2520, and middle 2558 of lock bar 2544 is in lock track 2540 ofposition lock 2532. To move a siderail 2516 from raised position toextended position, middle 2558 of lock bar 2544 is first raised todisengage lock bar 2544 from lock track 2540. Rail member 2524 can thenbe rotated relative to ends 2554, 2556 of lock bar 2544 as slide baselinkage 2550 lowers relative to coupler 2538 as shown in FIG. 86. Railattachment hinge 2530 maintains a connection with base 2520 and railmember 2524 so that rail member 2524 rotates around a pivot provided byrail attachment hinge 2530. Rail member 2524 rotates slightly less than180-degrees to arrive at extended position shown in FIGS. 84 and 87.Similarly, rotating rail member 2524 back into contact with mattress2518 and engaging lock bar 2544 in lock track 2540 places siderail 2516back in raised position.

To move siderail 2516 from the raised position to the egress positionmiddle 2558 of lock bar 2544 is first raised to disengage lock bar 2544from lock track 2540. Rail attachment 2530 is disengaged from base 2520or rail member 2524 thereby allowing rail member 2524 and linkage 2522to rotate around coupler 2538 of linkage attachment 2530. Rail member2524 rotates to arrive at egress position shown in FIG. 88. Similarly,rotating rail member 2524 back into contact with mattress 2518,attaching rail attachment 2530 to base 2520 and rail member 2524, andengaging lock bar 2544 in lock track 2540 places siderail 2516 back inraised position.

Preferably, instructions for the assembly, installation, and/or use ofthe patient supports and other devices disclosed herein are providedwith the patient supports of other devices or otherwise communicated topermit a person or machine to assemble, install and/or use the patientsupports and other devices. Such instructions may include a descriptionof any or all portions of patient supports and devices and/or any or allof the above-described assembly, installation, and use of the patientsupports and devices. Furthermore, such instructions may describe theenvironment in which patient supports and devices are used. Theinstructions may be provided on separate papers and/or the packaging inwhich the patient support or other devices are sold or shipped.Furthermore, the instructions may be embodied as text, pictures, audio,video, or any other medium or method of communicating instructions knownto those of ordinary skill in the art.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A method for altering a patient support including a deck support, afirst siderail, and a second siderail, the method comprising: providingan articulating deck, coupling a first siderail to the articulatingdeck, coupling a sub-frame to the to the patient support, coupling asecond siderail to the sub-frame to define a minimum gap between thefirst siderail and the second siderail such that the minimum gap remainsof a substantially constant width as the deck articulates.
 2. The methodof claim 1, comprising coupling the second siderail to anon-articulating portion of the sub-frame.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the articulating deck has a head section and a foot sectionlongitudinally spaced from the head section, comprising coupling thefirst siderail to a head section of the articulating deck.
 4. The methodof claim 3, comprising coupling the second siderail to a portion of thesub-frame that is longitudinally spaced from the head section of thearticulating deck.
 5. A method for altering a patient support, themethod comprising: providing a frame including a sub-frame, coupling asiderail support to the sub-frame, coupling a first siderail to thesiderail support, the first siderail including a first rail memberhaving a first edge that is substantially straight, supporting anarticulating deck above the frame, coupling a second siderail to thearticulating deck, the second siderail including a second rail memberhaving a second edge that is substantially straight and parallel withthe first edge and a third edge that is rounded and tangential with thesecond edge.
 6. The method of claim 5, comprising coupling an I.V.socket to the siderail support.
 7. The method of claim 6, comprisingcoupling an I.V. mount to the frame.
 8. The method of claim 5,comprising coupling the first and second siderails to define a minimumgap therebetween that remains of a substantially constant width as thedeck articulates.
 9. The method of claim 5, comprising moving the secondsiderail and the articulating deck relative to the first siderail andthe siderail support.
 10. A method for altering a patient supportcomprising: providing a frame, supporting a deck above the frame, thedeck including an articulating foot section, coupling a siderail to thepatient support so that it remains substantially stationary when thefoot section articulates, wherein the siderail includes a first railmember having a first edge that is substantially straight, and couplinga second siderail to the frame, the second siderail including a secondrail member having a second edge that is substantially straight andparallel with the first edge and a third edge that is tangential withthe second edge, the third edge being rounded and having a radius ofcurvature of about 8.5 inches, the first edge and the second and thirdedges defining a minimum gap therebetween such that the minimum gapremains of a substantially constant width as the deck articulates. 11.The method of claim 10, comprising configuring the siderail to movebetween a raised position and a lowered position.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the siderail comprises a rail member, comprisingcoupling a rail extension to the rail member, the rail extension beingmoveable between an extended position relative to the rail member whenthe siderail is in a raised position and a non-extended positionrelative to the rail member when the siderail is in a lowered position.13. The method of claim 12, comprising providing a linkage, wherein thelinkage causes the rail extension to move between the extended andnon-extended positions.
 14. method of claim 10, comprising providing agap within the siderail and covering the gap.
 15. The method of claim14, comprising covering the gap with a transparent material.
 16. Themethod of claim 10, comprising providing a notch in an upper edge of thesiderail.
 17. The method of claim 16, comprising providing an S-shapedportion in the upper edge of the siderail.
 18. The method of claim 10,comprising coupling the siderail to a foot end of the patient support.19. The method of claim 18, comprising coupling a second siderail to thepatient support.